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Introduction

Guerrero re-works many of Crecquillon’s themes to form his Missa Congratulamini mihi, and this in itself is a tribute to his consummate compositional abilities. Interestingly the only theme Guerrero seems not to use is the motif associated with ‘et dum flerem’. The rollicking Hosanna is a particularly clever movement when he marries two themes—‘Congratulamini mihi’ and ‘vidi Dominum meum’ (‘Rejoice with me’ and ‘I saw my Lord’)—and thus provides in a nutshell the very heart of the matter. To enhance the Easter joy, and unlike Crecquillon, Guerrero chooses not to use two bass parts but writes two treble parts instead. In the final invocation of the Agnus Dei he restores the second bass voice and repeats the marriage of themes already used in the Hosanna but this time with music of exquisite serenity.

The five-part texture is maintained throughout most of the Mass but Guerrero uses a trio in the Gloria and a telling duet followed by another trio in the Credo. Further delights come when Guerrero allows himself the freedom to compose new material (the ‘Et incarnatus est’ in the Credo and the prayerful Benedictus) and briefly moves away from the sunny disposition of the Mass.

Recordings

The main work on this disc is Guerrero’s gloriously sunny and joyful Missa Congratulamini mihi. Based on an Easter motet by Crecquillon (also recorded here), it is full of the voluptuous exuberance of the Paschal season. The five-part textu ...» More

Glory be to God on high and on earth peace, good will towards men. We praise thee. We bless thee. We worship thee. We glorify thee. We give thanks to thee for thy great glory. O Lord God, heavenly king, God the Father almighty, O Lord the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For thou only art holy. Thou only art the Lord. Thou only art most high, Jesus Christ. With the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, born of his Father before all worlds, God of God, light of light, very God of very God, begotten not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made. Who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven. And was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man. And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, he suffered and was buried. And the third day he rose again according to the scriptures. And ascended into heaven: and sitteth on the right hand of the Father. And he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead: whose kingdom shall have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, Lord and giver of life: who proceedeth from the Father and Son, who with the Father and Son is worshipped and glorified: who spake by the prophets. And in one holy, catholic and apostolic church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. And I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.